Meloni accused of ‘running scared’ with cap on foreign children in classrooms
Critics say decree also banning burqa in schools shows Italian PM worried about losing far-right voters in next year’s elections
TL;DR
- The Italian government passed a decree to cap the number of non-Italian speaking students in classrooms at 30% and ban burqas and niqabs in schools.
- Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated these measures are for 'commonsense integration' and learning Italian.
- Critics, including rights campaigners and political scientists, allege the decree is a tactic to appeal to far-right voters and counter the rise of new extremist parties like Futuro Nazionale.
- The measures are seen by some as an attempt to distract from the government's limited policy achievements and to regain support from voters who feel Meloni has softened her stance on key issues.
- Opposition leaders have criticized the decree, calling it 'shameful' and a distraction from pressing educational issues like crumbling buildings and low teacher salaries.